TEPCO eyes 3 GW of offshore wind in Japan

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc (TYO:9501), or TEPCO, plans to commission a 2.4-MW pilot offshore wind farm in Japanese waters on January 1, 2019 and subsequently add up to 3 GW.

The single-turbine project is the company’s first commercial offshore wind farm, Japan-based TEPCO said last week. The turbine, mounted on a bottom-fixed foundation, is located off the coast of Choshi in Chiba prefecture and its testing has been ongoing since 2013.

"The demonstration provided TEPCO with valuable experience in operating and maintaining the facility in harsh weather and marine conditions, as well as ensuring equipment safety and resistance to damage from saltwater," TEPCO said.

After commissioning the turbine, TEPCO will proceed with offshore wind projects at home and abroad, as well as hydropower projects overseas, in line with an overall strategy for expanding generation from renewable energy sources. For offshore wind in particular, its future plans involve the addition of between 2 GW and 3 GW of fresh capacity in Japan, it said without elaborating further.

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